Electrode comparison

E308L vs E347

Both weld 304-type stainless. E308L simply keeps carbon low; E347 locks carbon up with niobium, which holds up better in long high-temperature service.

E308L vs E347 at a glance

	E308L	E347
AWS specification	AWS A5.4/A5.4M	AWS A5.4/A5.4M
Process	Stick (SMAW)	Stick (SMAW)
Form	Covered electrode	Covered electrode
Tensile strength (min)	75 ksi	75 ksi
Yield strength (min)	45 ksi	45 ksi
Elongation (min)	35%	30%
Impact toughness	Not required; austenitic deposits stay tough to cryogenic temperatures	Not required by the specification
Polarity	DCEP, AC	DCEP, AC
Positions	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead	Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, Overhead
Penetration	Shallow to medium	Shallow to medium
Deposition rate	Medium	Medium
Coating / core	Lime-titania (-16)	Lime-titania (-16)
Slag	Self-lifting, brittle, must be removed completely between passes	Self-lifting, remove fully between passes
Shielding gas	None — self-shielding	None — self-shielding
Storage	Keep dry. Stainless coatings pick up moisture and cause porosity and worm tracks.	Dry storage; rod oven at 250–300 °F (120–150 °C) after opening.
Primary use	Food, dairy and beverage equipment	High-temperature piping and exhaust systems

Which should you use?

Both fight the same enemy — chromium carbide precipitation that strips corrosion resistance from the grain boundaries. E308L does it by keeping carbon below 0.04% so there is little to precipitate. E347 does it by adding niobium, which forms carbides preferentially and leaves chromium in solution permanently. For ambient-temperature corrosion service the L grade is cheaper and entirely adequate. For long exposure in the 800–1500 °F sensitization range, stabilization holds up better. E347 is also the correct filler for Type 321 base metal.

Choose E308L when

Type 304 and 304L at ambient temperature
General stainless fabrication
Cost-sensitive work

Choose E347 when

Type 321 and 347 base metal
Sustained elevated-temperature service
Refinery, exhaust and high-temperature piping

Amperage compared

Diameter	E308L	E347
3/32 in (2.4 mm)	40–80 A	40–80 A
1/8 in (3.2 mm)	65–110 A	65–110 A
5/32 in (4.0 mm)	95–150 A	95–150 A
3/16 in (4.8 mm)	130–190 A	130–190 A

Ranges are typical starting points. Diameters listed for only one electrode are shown as — for the other.

E308L vs E347 — common questions

Why can't you weld 321 stainless with a 321 electrode?

Type 321 is stabilized with titanium, and titanium oxidizes and does not transfer reliably across a welding arc. Niobium does, so 347 filler delivers the same stabilizing effect in the weld metal.

Is E347 more crack sensitive than E308L?

Slightly. Stabilized chemistries are a little more prone to hot cracking, so keep heat input modest, run stringer beads and control interpass temperature.

Does E308L sensitize eventually?

At sustained high temperature, yes — low carbon slows carbide formation but does not prevent it indefinitely. That is exactly the case where a stabilized grade like E347 is specified.

Full specifications

E308L

AWS A5.4/A5.4M

E308L is the standard stick electrode for welding 304 and 304L stainless, with a low 0.04% maximum carbon that protects against intergranular corrosion.

E347